Unlicensed contractors sting nets 14 arrests

August 15, 2014

An operation targeting unlicensed contracting work resulted in more than a dozen arrests Friday.

Members of the Lee County Sheriff's Office Economic Crimes Unit began the operation, targeting unlicensed contractors operating in Lee County on Tuesday.

During the three-day operation, 14 people were arrested for unlicensed contracting. Additionally, many of the individuals failed to have required workers' compensation insurance or a required exemption and were additionally charged with a violation of workers' compensation laws, officials said.

The operation involved agents and officers from the Lee County Sheriff's Office Economic Crimes Unit, Public Services Division and South District, along with Florida Division of Insurance Fraud, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and the Lee County Department of Community Development, Contractor Licensing and Code Enforcement Divisions.

The operation used a single-family dwelling in the San Carlos Park area. During the operation, undercover agents contacted a number of individuals from various internet websites such as Porch.Com and Craigslist, where the individuals were advertising construction-related services.

"Arriving at the location in San Carlos Park, the individuals met with undercover officers and willingly agreed to offer proposals to perform various construction type tasks at the target residence," a release from the Lee County Sheriff's Office states.

"The work proposed requires the service provider to be a properly licensed contractor, the contractor must carry workers' compensation coverage or they must have filed a certificate of exemption."

The following individuals lacked the required electrical, plumbing and/or general contracting licensing needed to perform construction related activities and were arrested:

The above individuals were also issued civil citations with mandatory court dates from Lee County Code Enforcement for unlicensed contracting and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation issued notices to cease and desist.

Three additional individuals were issued civil citations from code enforcement, along with notices to cease and desist" and were released at the scene.

"As our Southwest Florida economy continues to improve so does the construction industry. Unfortunately, there are many unlicensed contractors who do not possess required licensing, often lacking in the training and experience necessary to perform 'safe' work," the release states.

"In many cases, unlicensed contractors do not obtain the required permits in order to keep county officials from inspecting their work."

Consumers can verify professional licenses with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation online at: www.myfloridalicense.com, by calling (850) 487-1395 or by downloading the free DBPR Mobile app through iTunes or the Google Play store.

Officials ask citizens to report any suspected unlicensed activity by calling the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at (866) 532-1440, or by calling the Lee County Sheriff's Office at (239) 477-1000.